Atheists, how do you celebrate this time of year?

Question

This is the first time I will be celebrating Christmas since I abandoned Christianity and any lingering belief in God.

I'm not really interested in celebrating Christmas anymore. I never cared for it much anyway--it bugs me how the whole season seems to just be a good excuse for department stores to make serious amounts of cash. People who can't afford to are going in debt to buy crap for other people that they don't need and probably will never use anyway.

I'm interested in shifting gears a little bit in terms of how I celebrate the winter holidays. How do you do it?

Answer 1

BY thanking the creator for all the gifts the creator has given-
including this breath which gives me life every time it comes and goes,' allowing the next one to come in
And not by parties and drinking and dancing -drink, dance screw be merry and happy and party,.

Answer 2

I am not an atheist, agnostic, or christian I do not wish to participate in the man made institution of religion so I practice no religion I only celebrate Christmas to the extent of buying presents for my parents, visiting them and spending time with them since my dad loves Christmas I do it for him personally I'd like to get to Dec 26 where people will stop acting like they care (fake) I find most people are so much more stressed and grumpy this time of year I do like time off from work so that's cool and friends from out of town come home That is what I like to celebrate for the holidays it is about being social, partying it is a good excuse to be indulgent

Answer 3

What always seems to me worth celebrating is the winter solstice - the moment at which (if you're in the northern hemisphere) the nights are at their longest and the days at their shortest. After this, the light begins to return. The year turns....... Traditionally, this has always been, in so many cultures, a moment of bringing the light back through fires and candles etc.

It's no big deal to shift the moment of celebration four days so you can be doing it while all the shops are closed and everyone else seems to be in their own little world. One thing I've really enjoyed doing is writing on separate pieces of paper all the things I shall be pleased to leave behind in the old year, and hurling them on the fire, one by one. Then I write a list of all my hopes for the coming year. The years when I've been able to share this ritual with friends have been really special. We had a good meal together, dressed up (some of us with glitter on our faces or tinsel in our hair - some people dressed up the dogs and cats too...... you should see that tabby cat with beads round her neck!!). We liked to have ritual food - things that were seeds to represent the beginnings of what the new year would bring, balls of food to represent the way the years turn and turn, etc. We made all this up as we went along, but it became something that really feels like a tradition now.

So - invent your own, but it is a good moment to celebrate the return of light.

Answer 4

I've always had a very hard time with this time of year for very personal reasons. Usually I try to let it pass with as little fanfare as possible which is easier when you don't have children. My husband understands this and depending on my mood in any given year I may or may not help him decorate around the house. I will go to one party I've been attending more years than I can count but otherwise, I just like a nice quiet day.

Answer 5

Yeah...someone who has alot of sensibility. First things first...you dont have to be christian or be religious to celebrate christmas. I think it means different things to different people. To me christmas is more of a cookie, family, cooking, shopping for the new year time, nothing to do with religion. Im think of meeting up with extented family I never meet, go out and try more things, jus relax.its the holidays...happy hols to you

Answer 6

I haven't had tons of extra cash laying around in years (college student, then teacher), so I've really enjoyed coming up with less expensive ways to give gifts. Last year I made all the gifts we gave to family and I personalized all of them.
This year my husband is going to get a painting I've almost finished for him.
I like saving the money and creating things for other people-it's personal and appreciated even more for the time and effort, rather than the price tag.

Answer 7

I like to get together with my like-minded friends on Solstice instead. Dinner, drinks. Yule log back when I had a firplace. We sometimes do a white elephant gift exchange that's a lot of fun.
Still do Christmas morning with my son, as I don't want to deprive him of that. But after that, it's just football day!

Answer 8

~~~ Linz ,,, Take advantage of People's Good Spirits as they are more receptive to Unconditional Love, Smiles and Sharing of Kindness and Joy. I help those less fortunate than I through Annonymous Acts of Altruism. I reinforce my philosophy of Living The Golden Rule,,, 'tis the "spirit" of the celebration in which I participate. ~ Namaste`

Answer 9

It's no different than it was as a kid... happy people giving and getting gifts and sharing time together.

Just because the "reasons" for a winter celebrations are invalid, is no reason to fail to enjoy the party. If anything, you can laugh a litter better than the rest by knowing how foolishly they may be thinking.

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[][][] r u randy [][][]
.

Answer 10

I still celebrate Christmas. It's a time to be with friends and family and being an atheist doesn't change any of that. I don't go to religious services.